Use iCloud File Sharing to share documents with other iCloud users

With iCloud File Sharing, you can share any kind of file or document in iCloud Drive with other iCloud users. You and the people you invite can view and even work on your documents. The people who receive your invitation can click a link to download the shared file from iCloud to any of their devices. Everyone views the same shared document. If you allow others to make edits, they can change and save the document and you see the updates the next time you open the document on your Mac.

Share documents

Tip: If the item is on the desktop, Control-click it, choose Share from the shortcut menu, then choose Add People.

In an app that supports iCloud File Sharing, open a document, click the Share button , then choose Add People.

Select the app you want to use to send the invitation.

You can use Mail, Messages, Copy Link, and Airdrop to send an invitation.

Click the disclosure triangle next to Share Options, click the “Who can access” pop-up menu, then do one of the following:

Choose “Only people you invite” to allow only invitees to access the document.

Choose “Anyone with link” to allow anyone who receives the link to access the document. For example, your invitees can share the link and give access to others not included in the original invitation.

Click the Permission pop-up menu, then do one of the following:

Choose “Can make changes” to allow others to revise the document.

Choose “View only” to allow read-only access.

Click Share, then add the email addresses of the people you want to share with.

When the invitees receive your invitation, they can download the shared file from iCloud to any of their devices. If you allow it, they can make changes and save the document. You see the updates the next time you open the file on your Mac.

Accept an invitation and revise a document

When you download a document that you’ve been invited to share, the shared file is available in iCloud Drive on your Mac, the Files app (iOS 11 or later) or the iCloud Drive app (iOS 10 or earlier) on your iOS device, on iCloud.com, and on a PC with iCloud for Windows.

If you have permission to revise the document, you can open it with any compatible app, then make and save your changes.

In the invitation, click the link to the shared document.

If necessary, sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID and password.

When the file opens in an app on your Mac, make your changes, then save the document.

You can also open the file later with any compatible app and make changes. Anyone sharing the document will see the latest changes to the file the next time they open it.

Change the sharing options of a document

You can change the sharing settings you chose after you share a document.

On your Mac, select the document in iCloud Drive, or open it in an app that supports iCloud File Sharing, click the Share button , then choose Show People.

Do any of the following:

Share a document with more people: Click the Add People button, then add an email address for each new invitee.

Copy a link to the shared file to send to another person: Click the disclosure triangle next to Shared Options, then click Copy Link. You can now paste the link into an email or other app.

Change who can access the file to download: Click the disclosure triangle next to Share Options, then choose “Only people you invite” to only allow invitees to access the document, or choose “Anyone with link” to allow anyone who receives the link to access the document.

Change whether the shared document can be changed or viewed only: Click the disclosure triangle next to Share Options, then choose “Can make changes” to allow others to revise the document, or choose “View only” to allow read-only access.

Change the sharing settings for a specific person: Position the pointer over a person’s name, click , then choose the settings you want.

Stop sharing a file with a specific person: Position the pointer over the person’s name, click , then choose Remove Access.

Stop sharing a document

You can stop sharing files with people you invited.

On your Mac, select the document in iCloud Drive or open it in an app that supports iCloud File Sharing.

Click the Share button , then choose Show People.

Do any of the following:

Stop sharing with everyone: Click the disclosure triangle next to Share Options, then click Stop Sharing.

Stop sharing with a specific person: Hold the pointer over the person’s name, click , then choose Remove Access.

You can also simply move or delete the document from iCloud Drive to stop others from having access to it.